Prompt
What are the best free commercial aviation news sites for staying current on industry news and deal announcements?
Latest observation
Jul 29, 2026
OpenAI APIWeb search: off
Here are some of the best free sources for staying current on commercial aviation industry news, fleet/deal announcements, network changes, and airline finance:
Top free aviation news sites
1. Aviation Week Network
- Strong on: industry news, airline strategy, fleets, MRO, and deal coverage
- Why it’s useful: one of the most respected names in aviation reporting
- Note: some premium content, but plenty is free
2. FlightGlobal
- Strong on: airline news, aircraft orders, deliveries, network/deal announcements, and analysis
- Why it’s useful: excellent global coverage and often very fast on major announcements
- Note: mixed free/premium access
3. AeroTime
- Strong on: airline news, aircraft orders, route launches, sustainability, and executive changes
- Why it’s useful: frequent updates and easy-to-read coverage
- Note: much of it is freely accessible
4. Simple Flying
- Strong on: airline developments, route news, fleet updates, aircraft deliveries, and consumer-facing industry stories
- Why it’s useful: very active and covers a wide range of commercial aviation topics
- Note: more generalist than some trade outlets, but good for staying current
5. The Air Current
- Strong on: high-quality industry analysis, airline strategy, and major commercial aviation developments
- Why it’s useful: excellent insight, especially on business and strategic topics
- Note: some content is gated, but free articles are often worthwhile
6. Airways
- Strong on: airline news, fleet announcements, route updates, and aviation industry features
- Why it’s useful: broad coverage and frequent updates
- Note: free access to many stories
7. CAPA - Centre for Aviation
- Strong on: market/competitive analysis, airline economics, deal implications, and network strategy
- Why it’s useful: great for understanding the “why” behind announcements
- Note: much of the best content is premium, but free headlines/news items are useful
Good free sources for deal announcements specifically
If you want the fastest updates on:
- aircraft orders/deliveries
- lease transactions
- airline partnerships
- M&A / ownership changes
- route launches and network decisions
…these are especially useful:
- FlightGlobal
- Aviation Week
- AeroTime
- Simple Flying
- Airways
For official deal confirmation
Sometimes the best “news site” is the source itself:
- Airline press release pages
- Airbus / Boeing / Embraer / ATR newsrooms
- Lessors’ press releases (Avolon, AerCap, SMBC Aviation Capital, etc.)
- Airport and regulator announcements
Best practical combo
If you want a simple free setup, I’d suggest:
- FlightGlobal for hard news and deal announcements
- Aviation Week for industry depth
- AeroTime or Simple Flying for quick daily coverage
- CAPA when you want strategic context
If you want, I can also give you:
- a ranked list by best for deal announcements, or
- a daily reading stack for commercial aviation professionals.